Southgate says he's happy with England amid United links

LONDON - Gareth Southgate said on Sunday his work as England manager is far from done as he indicated he had no interest in taking charge at Manchester United any time soon.

A recent report in Britain's Sunday Telegraph said Southgate was on a shortlist being drawn up by Old Trafford chiefs as they sought a permanent replacement for the fired Jose Mourinho.

But with caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having won his first seven games in charge of United, the Red Devils may have a readymade successor in their former striker.

Southgate, who last year in Russia took England to its first appearance in a World Cup semifinal since 1990, and has since guided it to qualification for the inaugural Nations League finals, has unfinished business with the Three Lions.

The former England and Aston Villa centerback made that clear when, at a Football Writers' Association dinner in London on Sunday, he was asked if he felt fulfilled by the England post.

"I'm the England manager and it's a privileged position to be in," he told Sky Sports.

"We've had the best year for 28 years and we've got a semifinal this summer and a European championship that's predominantly at Wembley, providing we take care of business to qualify.

"So it's a hugely exciting time with the team. I don't think we've progressed as far as we can yet. I think there's still some room for us to grow."

The 48-year-old added: "I am still a young coach. I've managed less than 200 matches, so, for me, it's an honor to be in the role I'm in and I thoroughly enjoy it."

As for Sunday's event, staged in honor of Southgate and his England squad, he said: "When you're having tributes, you're thinking, 'Well, the job is not done for us yet, there's a lot for us to go for and a lot of improvement for us to make'."

England captain Harry Kane, the Golden Boot winner in Russia, has been a key member of Southgate's side.

But Kane has been ruled out until March after sustaining an ankle injury during Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 recent Premier League loss to Manchester United.

While saddened to see Kane injured, Southgate said his absence could yet benefit both club and country.

"I'm sure they (Spurs) and England will get a player that's refreshed from that little break and stronger again, and hungry to go," Southgate said.

Agence France-Presse